“The DOE’s support, together with the skill of our powertrain engineers working on the SuperTruck program, helped generate significant powertrain innovations,” said Gӧran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “We look forward to offering these innovative design features to our customers, who depend on Volvo Trucks to help them generate greater fuel efficiency benefits, as well as increased productivity.”
The U.S. DOE SuperTruck program is a cost-shared, public-private partnership that promotes research and development to improve the freight-hauling efficiency of heavy-duty Class 8 long-haul tractor-trailer trucks. The program aims to help accelerate the development of advanced efficiency technologies that are not currently available in the market.
Volvo’s new 2017 powertrain offerings, which include new, enhanced Volvo D11 and D13 engines, turbo compounding for the D13 engine and a one-box Exhaust Aftertreatment System (EATS), demonstrate Volvo’s commitment to integrated powertrain development and feature components derived directly from the SuperTruck program.
Wave Piston
The SuperTruck program enabled extensive research of a typical combustion chamber and provided Volvo engineers the opportunity to test a new piston design. This new design added “wave” bumps on the side of the piston bowl, which allows the fuel to burn more cleanly.
The exact design of the piston was matured through tests and simulations, enabling exceptional gains in fuel efficiency, while significantly reducing soot generation. The patented wave piston, working in combination with Volvo’s other engine enhancements, delivers improved fuel efficiency of up to 2.2 percent for the D11 and 2.5 percent for the D13.
Turbo Compounding
Despite today’s efficient combustion and use of turbocharging, energy is still available in the exhaust in the form of heat and pressure. A new turbo compounding system was designed to recover this normally wasted energy on the 2017 Volvo D13 with Turbo Compound, helping boost fuel efficiency by up to 6.5 percent.
The SuperTruck program enabled Volvo engineers to refine the mechanics and aerodynamics of the new geartrain and turbine, ensuring peak efficiency in the “sweet spot” for Volvo’s integrated powertrain solution, which includes the I-Shift automated manual transmission and downsped engines.
Common Rail Fuel Injection System
A proven common rail fuel injection system was adapted to Volvo’s 2017 D11 and D13 engines. It enables a higher injection pressure, which improves combustion, and allows for finer control of the injection event.
Through the SuperTruck program, the fuel injection system was optimized to match the new wave piston. Extensive engine testing and simulations led to an injector with enhanced flow rate, spray angle and pressure characteristics that allow the engine to operate more quietly and burn fuel more efficiently.
Volvo Trucks introduced its 2017 powertrain in March at its Hagerstown, Maryland, powertrain facility. For more information, please visit www.volvotrucks.us/powertrain/.
Volvo Trucks North America’s SuperTruck program played a critical role in the design and engineering of Volvo’s 2017 powertrain. The development of several new features, such as the wave piston, turbo compounding and a common rail fuel injection system, were supported directly by the program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,200 dealers and workshops in more than 125 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 15 countries across the globe. In 2015 more than 113,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, and drive systems for marine and industrial applications. The Group also provides solutions for financing and service. Volvo’s work is based on the core values quality, safety and environmental care.
The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2015, the Volvo Group’s sales amounted to about $37 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. For more information, please visit www.volvogroup.com or www.volvogroup.mobi if you are using your mobile phone.
April 14, 2016
www.volvotrucks.us
